Container



C. J. BALIN Oct. 1S, 1938.

CONTAINER Filed June 17, 193'? @Klim/Mag Patented Oct. 18, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER Charles J. Balin, St. Louis, Mo.

Application June 17, 1937, Seriall No. 148,796

'7 Claims.

The present invention relates to a container. More specifically, the invention relates to a container or box of the collapsible type embodying in its construction a unitary blank so formed l that the box can be readily set up for use or knocked down for shipping or storing.

Boxes of this character have been long known and used, but have in most instances failed to meet the maximum requirements of devices of this character, which requirements are simplicity in construction, facility in assembling, rigidity of construction, and neatness in appearance of the completed box.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a container or box embodying a unitary blank of simple construction and so formed that the box can be expeditiously constructed therefrom, the box being strong, secure against disassembly, and neat in appearance.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a blank of cardboard or like material which is stamped as a unit and embodies relatively simple naps, tabs, and cooperating slits as well as fold lines, whereby a box of maximum rigidity can be readily constructed therefrom, and

whereby the blanks, due to the unitary construction, can be conveniently transported or stored.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a collapsible box embodying securing tabs of ornamental form cut from the material of the box, whereby when the tabs are in locked position, portions of the box are exposed through the openngs'dened by the displaced A tabs, thus provi-ding an ornamental appearance as well as effective means for identifying different merchandise.

With the above objects in view as well as others that will become obvious in the course of the 40 following disclosure, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing forming part of same, and wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of the improved blank in a preferred embodiment thereof.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a box constructed from the blank disclosed in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View in a plane represented by line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view in a plane represented ;,by line 4 4 in Fig. 3.

Figures 5 to 10 inclusive are fragmental plan views disclosing Various modified forms of the ornamental securing tabs.

Referring to the ydrawing by reference characgfyters and wherein like characters designate like parts, B designates a blank which is preferably formed from relatively thin cardboard and is of unitary construction.

The blank B is provided with a plurality of e() parallel and longitudinal fold lines a, b, c, and d for providing a top or cover I0, opposite sides II and I2 and a bottom I3 when the blank is folded for providing a container C, as indicated in Fig. 2.

The blank B is further provided with trans- 5 verse fold lines e and f outward of which fold lines the blank is out in continuation of the fold lines c and d thereby providing flaps Iii, I5 and I5 which cooperate in providing the opposite ends of the container C represented in Fig. 2. 10

The flaps I4 and I5 are each provided with a longitudinal slit I1 and the flaps I4 are each provided with an arcuate slit I8 which, in the assembled position of the blank, are in vertically spaced relation to the slits I 'I for a purpose 15 hereinafter described.

The flaps I6 are each provided with a tab I9 which is cut from said flap and is bendable on the fold line y, the tabs I9 each being provided with a fold line It for a purpose later described. 20

The blank B is formed of a single piece of cardboard whereby a container as represented in Fig. 2 can be expeditiously constructed therefrom and which is accomplished as follows. The blank B is first folded inwardly on the fold 25 lines c and d, simultaneous with which the flaps I4 and I5 are folded inwardly on the fold lines e and ,f with the flaps I4 inwardly of the flaps I5, after which the iiaps I6 are folded on the fold lines e and vertically and into parallelism 30 with the flaps I4 and I5 and exteriorly ofthe flaps I5.

The slits Il are alined when flaps Ill and I5 are brought into vertical contacting relation, and upon folding the flaps I6 and tabs I9 carried 35 thereby are bent on the lines y into substantially horizontal position and entered through the alined slits Il after which the free ends of the tabs I9 are inserted within the arcuate slits I 8 in the, inner flaps I 4, as is clearly indicated in 40 Figures 3 and 4, the fold lines h permitting bending of the tabs to facilitate entry thereof into the slits I8. f

The blank B folded as just described provides a box or container having a bottom, sides and cover 45 of single thickness, while the opposite ends are of triple thickness, as each of the'ends embodies the superimposed flaps I4, I5 and I6.

The cover I!) is hingedly connected with the smell by means of the fold une b and the fold 5 line a provides a flap Ia which, upon closing the cover, is inserted within the side I2. It will be seen from Figs. 2, 3 and 4 that the flaps I6 extend vertically above the Vflaps I4 and I5 for 55 providing an attractive appearance to the container, and the flaps I6 may be provided with fold lines z' whereby the projecting portions of the flaps I6 may be readily bent for disposal of such projections beneath the cover Ill if so desired tov facilitate the storage and shipping of merchandise within the containers.

Theconstruction of the ends not only lends rigidity to the container but, due to the fact that the flaps I5 are exposed through the openings formed by the displaced tabs I9, an ornamental appearance is provided on the opposite ends of the box, the exposed portions of aps I5 being of the contour of the tabs I9 and such exposed portions being inset the thickness of flaps I6, thus providing a highly ornamental effect as well as providing suitable spaces for labels, trade marks, etc. Furthermore, the aps I5 at such exposed portions may be painted or variously decorated to further enhance the esthetic effect of the completed container.

Tabs, corresponding to those indicated at I9, of various other shapes may be provided whereby containers of different appearances or for designating diierent lines of merchandise may be constructed. In Figs. 5 to 10 inclusive are represented modiiied forms of tabs and are designated on the drawing as I9a, I9b, I9c, I9d, I9e and I9f, respectively. These tabs will function in the same manner as tabs I9 for holding the folded blank in box-forming position, but will present different appearances to the ends of the box as the exposed portions of flaps I5 will be of the contour of these respective tabs, and if such exposed portions be painted or otherwise decorated highly ornamental appearances can be given to the box.

With the various forms of tabs illustrated it is of course to be understood that the shape and relative location of the slits I8 may have to be modified accordingly.

Thus it will be seen that the construction and interlocln'ng feature of the end flaps not only contribute to the construction of a box of maximum rigidity, but provide in addition thereto a highly esthetic appearance as well as effective means for designating various lines of merchandise.

In the construction of the blanks, the interlocking tabs may be cut from the flaps I6 of any desired form to suit the varied requirements of packers and shippers of different merchandise, and their respective lines of goods may be readily indicated by labels, trade-marks or other suitable indications provided by the exposed portions of aps I5 resulting from the displaced tabs which are interlocked with the slits I8 in the flaps I4.

The end construction not only affords rigidity to the box, but the manner in which the tabs I9 are interlocked with the flaps I4 and I5 is such that there is no danger of the container becoming inadvertently disassembled due to the fact that the tabs I9 extend through the alined slits I1 adjacent the tops of flaps I4 and I5 and then project within the slits I8 in the flaps I4 vertically below the alined slits I'I.

It will be seen from the foregoing disclosure that in accordance with my invention a blank is provided which is of simple construction and embodies fold lines and cooperating tabs and slits, whereby a container can be expeditiously constructed which is relatively rigid, ornamental in appearance and is not subject to becoming inadvertently disassembled.

While I have disclosed certain specic embodiments of my invention, nevertheless the same are to be considered as illustrative only and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being dened in the subjoined claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. A collapsible container comprising a bottom, sides, cover, and ends; each of said ends comprising three contacting flaps, the two inner of said ilaps being provided with alined slits adjacent the tops thereof, the outer of said flaps being provided with a tab removably engaged within the alined slits, and a slit in the inner of said flaps below said alined slits for removably receiving the end of said tab.

2. A collapsible container comprising a bottom, sides, cover, and ends; each of the ends comprising an outer flap having a tab cut therefrom and hingedly connected therewith, and an inner flap having spaced slits for receiving the tab adjacent its hinged connection and its free end respectively, whereby the flaps are positively interlocked against separation.

3. A collapsible container comprising a bottom, sides, cover and ends; each of the ends comprising an outer ap having a depending tab cut therefrom and hingedly connected therewith, an inner ap having a slit adjacent the hinged connection of the tab for projection of the tab therethrough in depending position on the inner side of the inner ap, and a slit in the inner flap below the rst named slit for receiving the free end of the tab.

4. A blank for a collapsible container comprising a main body for folding on parallel lines to form the bottom, opposite sides, cover and cover iiap, inner end flaps projecting from opposite ends of one side and arranged to be folded at right angles thereto, intermediate end ilaps projecting from opposite ends of the other side and arranged to be folded at right angles thereto and into contact with the first named flaps, other end flaps projecting from opposite ends of the bottom and arranged to be folded at right angles thereto and into Contact with said intermediate flaps, the inner and intermediate flaps having slits for horizontal alinement in the folded position of the ilaps, and the outer flaps having centrally disposed tabs for projection through said alined slits in depending engagement with the inner sides of said inner ilaps in the folded position of the outer flaps.

5. The structure dened in claim 4 wherein the inner end flaps are each provided with an additional slit for receiving the free end of the respective tabs.

6. The structure dened in claim 4 wherein the inner and intermediate aps are of a length equal to the width of the bottom, and of a width equal to the height of the sides, and wherein the outer flaps are of a width egual to the width of the bottom and of a height greater than the height of the sides.

7. A collapsiblev container comprising a bottom, sides, cover, and ends; each of the ends comprising inner, intermediate and outer ilaps, the outer iiap being cut to provide a tab having an ornamental free edge, the inner and intermediate flaps having alined slits for projection of said tab therethrough into engagement with the inner side of the inner flap whereby the intermediate flap is exposed in an area corresponding with that of the deflected tab, and an interlocking connection between the free end of the tab and the inner flap for maintaining the flaps in contacting relation.

CHARLES J. BALIN. 

